big announcement: Annie Sloan CHALK PAINT™, & other troyfest pics

May 4, 2012

Whoa, guys and girls.

I’m beat.

Most of you know Troy Fest was last weekend, and I was painting furiously–big and small items–to take to my space at Troy Antiques.

What you may not know, if you don’t follow on Facebook, is that I recently became an Annie Sloan CHALK PAINT™ stockist! (P.S. I now know this is the correct way to label Annie’s paint, so you’ll see it written that way here from now on.)

Here’s the thing: I just love this stuff. Y’all know it. I sure know it. Since I picked up a can a year ago, I’ve used latex twice. I’m not saying I’ll never use it again, but for furniture? Probably not as much.

I simply love what it can do, how fast it can do it, and how beautiful it makes my furniture look when I’m done with it. CHALK PAINT simply celebrates my motto (in reference to painted furniture)…the point is not to have a room full of painted furniture, but a room full of inspiration–a room that speaks, “home.”

So, with much excitement, I’ll be carrying it in my space at Troy Antiques–it just makes sense to me. I’ve gotten questions from several of you the last week on this–I will also (yay!) be opening an online store within the next few weeks.

And along those lines, I have to say that there’s been a lot going on behind the scenes here at perfectly imperfect–the decision to put more focus on the retail side of things and become a CHALK PAINT stockist, hiring my first official employee (welcome, Anna Lauson!!), & other cool, roll-it-around in your head ideas that are keeping mine and Matt’s business wheels spinning.

I have some serious goals for this next year–but I’ve gotta say, I can’t physically believe all the fun things we’ve gotten to be a part of already. And I know you’re the reason for that. So, thank you, my wonderful friends–the ones of you who comment to tell me such wonderful things–the ones of you who read silently–thank you to each of you. It all, simply, would not have come to pass without you.

Back to Annie Sloan CHALK PAINT™, this all happened quickly–and I was thrilled to have all of my paint in before Troy Fest.

Matt and I immediately began working on display pieces–this is a great primitive corner cabinet we picked up recently–I’ll show you how I spruced it up next week.

I have to confess something–I totally put my kid to work painting some of these sample boards.

Grayson, you rock!

I’m loving making my color book–to show the graduation of color as it mixes with Old White–love having it on hand for folks to see.

And P.S. a HUGE thanks to all those who came out to say hello!!! I got my first visitor (hey, Lana!) on Friday as I was setting up. I may or may not have had greasy hair and a makeup-less face. Such a glamorous life I lead.

This other shelf Matt built (out of some old wood we found) for us last weekend and I wish you could see the X-cross threaded rod in the back–perfectly industrial. He has a few final touches to add, and we’ll do a tutorial post for you guys. He’s thinking of building/selling some pieces in my space, and I hope he does!

I think a lot of that guy.

And as far as the rest of the space, it was time to fill it up. I had a blast shopping with my mom, and even though these are not the best pictures, you get the general idea of how it all came together over the weekend.

The Drexel buffet made its way in, along with some painted lamps, a couple of trunks, handmade pillows & hardware, and lots of smalls. And, luckily, the sweet ladies at the shop told me I could take those lovely posters down.

I kept meaning to take pictures of the whole fair, but I was trying to hang with the little ones and my man during the part of the day I actually walked around.

It really is a magical, small-town kind of fair, filled with handmade goodness. If you’re ever up for a roadtrip, you should totally stop in at Troy Fest!

I was pretty thrilled at how it came together in one day–CHALK PAINT and all.

I’ve definitely caught the shop bug, and am thrilled to be working on my space more. It’s even more exciting to see where this Annie Sloan CHALK PAINT™ journey takes me–and so happy I’ll have you by my side.

So happy for you! To me it’s even more special that you are an Alabama girl. My friend Lana was so excited to meet you and to be your first ASCP customer . I got a text probably as soon as she walked away from you. I have to admit I was a little jealous but very excited for her. Hope to make a trip to Troy very soon.
Joyfully,
Elizabeth Ann

I would LOVE to see a post with just pictures of your color book, showing all the mixed shades!!!! That green is just so bright I’ve wondered what it looks like toned down a bit, with Old White and her brighter white, and don’t want to spend $40 to find out. Love your blog.

This may not be appropriate to post, now that you are official (congrats!!), but I just did my daughters desk in Antibes Green and added in basic acrylic paint (yellow) to get more of a yellow undertone instead of blueish. It went on just like plain ASCP and I love the color! I had tried mixing in some Versailles, but like the other reader, couldn’t afford to play around with the colors too much. A bottle of acrylic worked like a charm. You can delete this comment if you need to, though

Congratulations on the great space and new adventure! I wish I lived closer so I could come and take a look at all of your wonderful pieces. One thing really caught my eye in your pics, the blue trunk in the window. I would love to know if that was wood or metal that you painted. I have an old metal trunk currently painted black but would love to try a lovely color. Thanks for your help!

You are an INSPIRATION to me…I have tons of pieces that I plan on learning to paint on this summer. All the old furniture is piled in our extra garage right now, just screaming to be made pretty. Can’t wait to tackle it….I am learning from the best…YOU!
~Kim

You are so awesome! Congratulations on all the exciting things going on in your life! Just wanted to say thank you for the the time you take to make tutorials. Thanks to you I am working on my third Annie Sloan piece and loving it! No more “stripping” for me! LOL! Thank you again! JJ , Vancouver B.C. Canada

Hey Shaunna Congrats!!
I really love your space and everything looks amazing! I need some of the ASCP for that dining table I sent you a photo of; do you think you will have the online site up soon and will there be deliveries? I can always have daddy get it from you while he is in Troy because I want to get started ASAP! I’m thinking Old White and the Duck Egg and a darker brown for the top. Something closer to the to of Mom’s table she got from you. Let me know the best route since I’ll be in Troy for a bit Sunday for Mother’s day. I know you’ll be busy that day but if Daddy can get some from you I can get them from him or his office… Thanks so much!!

So happy to have you part of our Annie Sloan Chalk Paint™ family. Your space and display are beautiful!! Lots of many good things ahead for you. Can’t wait to meet you when we all get together as a group again. Congratulations!

Congratulations, it couldn’t have happened to a nicer person! I am so happy for you for all the success you are having, I know you’ve worked very hard for it all. I wish I lived closer and could have come to Troy, it looks fantastic from your photos!

I am new to your blog – and I am grateful that I found you. I may never make it to Troy-Fest, but the items you make/sell are just my style. I will have to try the chalk paint (new to me). Great Big Congratulations and I raise a glass of sweet tea to your Success!

AWESOME, Shaunna! Can’t wait to shop for my ASCP in your new online store. This is great news for you and I love your pieces in the shop- just wish I could visit in person sometime! I live in VA now, but often drive back home to NOLA and go through AL, so maybe I can get there!

Exciting stuff! Congrats! I’ve been itching to buy my first can of Annie Sloan, so I think I’ll hold out a few more weeks so I can go to your online shop! Still have to finish pulling up my carpet and sand a little.:) Look forward to shopping!

Congratulations! How exciting for you to be able to provide people with a product you truly love! I wish there were more places to buy in Ontario, Canada. Only one store and it’s too far away for me to get there. I may take the leap and purchase it online.

You must just love looking at all that cool paint that is yours! I would be just staring at it. I know , I am weird. I love your cute little shop spot and you crack me up putting your “kid” to work. ha. Very excited for you and your new business adventure. You will (do) shine

Yay. Yay. Yay! I have been hoping that I could irreparable AS paint from you since I started reading your blog. Sadly, the Stockists out in my area are… idiots. Even tried to talk my Huz out of picking up the samples I ordered.
Please, PLEASE, say when your shop is open. Or email me. I have an order to place & furniture that is waiting paitently!

I have been following your blog for a year now, and I LOVE it. I recently became an Annie Sloan Chalk Paint™ retailer as well, and one of the most exciting things is hopefully having the opportunity to meet inspiring people like you!! I hope it happens soon! I have a space inside of a retail store, similar to yours. Your space looks great! Thanks for sharing!!

Shaunna, I read your blog faithfully and you are soooo talented!! I live in the very Southernmost tip of Illinois and to my knowledge there is no available Annie Sloan dealer in my area. Where is Troy located and would you be able to ship an order to me? I would like to start out trying the small jars of paint but I do not even know where to begin. I have a small retail shop where I upcycle used furniture and resale. I love to refinish furniture but I believe that I could do some “new and interesting” ideas to furniture pieces and make them much more appealing as well as beautiful. Could you guide me in the right direction?? Thank you so very much!!